St. Nathy s College. Subject Department Plan For: Religious Education. Year:

St. Nathy s College Subject Department Plan For: Religious Education Year: 2015 / 2016

Index Subject Aims and Objectives Subject Co-ordinator- Subject Teachers Literacy and Numeracy reinforcement in the R.E. Dept Time Allocation, Options Structure and Timetabling Grouping of Pupils (Mixed ability, Streaming) Student Access to Subject/Level Class Organisation Textbooks and Course Materials Planning for Students with Special Needs Cross-Curricular Planning Subject Planning for a Culturally Diverse Society Effective Teaching Methodologies with an emphasis on learning outcomes. Range and Variety of Resources Provision for Health and Safety requirements Curriculum Content Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Homework Procedures Assessment Procedures Record-Keeping Procedures Reporting Procedures Teacher In-Career Development DES Subject Department Inspection

1. Subject Aims and objectives: To adapt the framework of Fit for Mission, devised by the Maryvale Institute, as a template for protecting and nurturing the Catholic Ethos of the School. This will act as a bench mark for the R.E. Department in St Nathy s. To Foster a team teaching approach within the Religious Education Department Catechetical foundations to be laid down in Junior Cert (see attached appendix with relevant areas in the text book, All about faith and new edition Faith Alive ),and deepened in senior cycle through the Youth Catechism and other resources. This in turn should foster a living faith witnessed by worship and good works and a respect for the person and the religious beliefs of others. To this effect, ongoing liturgical and sacramental life in the school will be crucial with the support of local priests and when possible the school chaplain. To develop an attitude that leads to active concern and care for the weak, justice and fair play towards all, respect for the person, respect for creation/the environment and respect for parents and authority figures. Striving for the correct balance between Rights and Responsibilities. To foster love for learning especially the search for truth and meaning, a search which will bring them to the natural, eternal and divine law, that good is to be done and evil avoided, the golden rule, engraved in all human hearts. In line with Gaudim et Spes and Vatican II The R.E. department will give effect to the desire to dialogue with the whole human family by using the common language of personhood. The human person is the point of contact. Students are then encouraged to engage with the modern world in a spirit of evangelisation and joy but that they also need to understand and recognise that many changes can have moral, social and religious implication. However, even though profound transformation colors our world and all people and is often marked with confusion and ambiguity. all of us crave a full and happy life worthy of our nature as human beings made in God s image and likeness, the root of our dignity. To engender in the students a capacity for understanding and dialoguing with other faiths and cultures by first improving their knowledge of their own Christian and Catholic faith and the call by Christ to love our neighbour as ourselves. To ensure every opportunity is used to improve, develop and consolidate students literacy and numeracy skills in line with Department of Education and School Policy whereby an interdisciplinary approach must permeate across St Nathy s. To contribute to the religious development of our students, to deepen their relationship with God through the person of God the Son, Jesus Christ, and His Bride, the Catholic Church and/or through the World Religion of their family, if non Christian. To contribute to the New Evangelisation called for by Pope Francis and his predecessors and to recognise that effective catechesis within the Religious Education framework is crucial to this process To provide opportunities to deepen sacramental practice and awareness. To prepare students for the Religious Education State Examination, where relevant, and within the context of the Catholic mission of the School To begin preparations for the new modular approach for the proposed Junior Cycle Junior

Award if and when that happens. In line with Irish Bishops Guidelines to foster an authentic spirit of interfaith dialogue and ecumenism to ensure those of other faiths and none are equally valued and respected. That the students possess knowledge and understanding of the truths of the Catholic Faith and why the Church teaches as she does. To illustrate the convergence with other world Religions, especially monotheistic ones, where there are seeds of truth, and illuminate the link between the Old (Torah) Covenant and the New Covenant and the Jewishness of Jesus. In line with Vatican II and Nostre Aetate, the R.E. department will foster Ecumenism, and understanding of other faiths, the universality of the golden rule, the visible and invisible boundaries of the universal Catholic Church incorporating our Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox brothers and sisters in Christ and the truth that salvation of all mankind is through Jesus Christ. In relation to Ecumenism that which is the core of Christianity and unites all denominations, Scripture, Tradition, The Ten Commandments, and the Apostles Creed will form the core of the Christian Doctrine element of the course at Junior Cert as covered in their text book All about Faith Such a core unites all Christians. To teach the children the Marian dogmas as given to the Church through tradition, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. To promote the religious, moral and spiritual development of the students through a deepening of their knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith, together with opportunities for prayer, worship and the sacraments and through active witness in social justice projects. To appreciate the richness of various religious traditions and to provide a framework to encounter these traditions, in line with Vatican II s decree on Ecumenism and Religious dialogue. To deepen an understanding of the ecclesial reality that the Church is willed by Christ and that Her teachings are His teachings with an understanding of the Magisterium of the Church and the protection and guidance of the Holy Spirit. To foster an understanding of such teachings in a spirit of charity and mercy. To impart the interconnection between Faith and Reason at Senior Level. The Spirit of Athens (Reason), Rome, (Citizenship) and Jerusalem,(Revelation) and the Newman interdisciplinary approach. To instil in students an understanding that all the baptised are called to live a life of holiness, and to give witness to the truths of our faith and role of the laity in building up the Kingdom of God on Earth. That the experience of God s Mercy is inextricably linked to the call to repentance and a life of holiness in faith, hope, love and charity. To this effect the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available in the school. To teach and develop an understanding of the Christian virtues and to strive to give witness to those virtues in the classroom and our student teacher interaction. To lead to a greater degree of clarity in respect of aims procedures and roles for R.E. in the school.

REINFORCING LITERACY AND NUMERACY Numeracy: Dates, sourcing bible quotes, e.g. Mark 5: 21-22 Calendars;, BCE. Statistics on World Religions, Denominations. The Bible in numbers. Days in Lent. Etc Literacy: Print Rich Environment of 100 key words or religious terms. These can be changed periodically and put up on classroom walls. Synonyms. E.G. Junior cycle: Commitment, Community, Covenant, Ecumenism, Sectarianism, Dialogue, Mystery, Awe, Morality, Ritual, Symbol, Transubstantiation. E.G. Senior cycle: Epiphany, Metanoia, Conversion, Euthanasia, Genetic Cloning, Vice, Virtue etc. Subject Co-ordinator: 2012/13, M Daly, 2013/14, M Daly, 2015/16 R. Brett Subject Teachers: (Junior Cert) Subject Teachers: (Leaving Cert) Katrina Staunton Katrina Staunton Kathryn O Dowd Kathryn O Dowd Ronan Brett Billi McGhee Billy McGhee Ruthanne Cawely Ruthanne Cawley Martin Daly Bernie Jordan Laura McCann Special Needs: All teachers in co-ordination with Bernie Jordan Timetabling and allocation of hours First, Second and Third year, three class periods per week, Fourth and Leaving Cert years (non exam), three class periods per week Transition year, (LCA, when applicable). Three class periods per week Fourth and Leaving Cert. years (exam), five class periods per week. Classes between 9.15am 12.55pm forty minutes. Classes between 1.30pm 3.50pm Thirty five minutes long. Options structures All students of St. Nathy s College must participate in Religious Education. The option of opting for Religion Education as an examination subject is only available in fourth year if feasible in relation to timetable and number constraints. Grouping of Pupils (Mixed ability, Streaming): Mixed ability groups in First year. Loose streaming in Second and Third year Mixed ability groups in Fourth and Leaving Cert years (non-exam) Mixed ability Leaving Certificate examination class. All Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate Examination students are potentially honours students. All students have access to religious education all Junior Certificate and Leaving Cert students. Provision of the Examination syllabus at Leaving Cert level is not guaranteed every year.

Class Organisation All students have access to at least three class periods in Re. Educ. each week. The class periods range from thirty five to forty minutes in length. Leaving Cert. Exam students have five class periods per week. Textbooks and Resources Year Textbooks Other resources First Faith Alive, Niall Boyle.(one volume, updated edition of All about Faith. The complete Junior Certificate Religion course, updated edition of ) Good News Bible The Chapel The Narnia Series Religious music CDs (Taize, Gregorian Chant, Irish/Celtic spiritual) Youtube clips from Christian youth groups Second Year All about faith Good News Bible Workbooks As above + A selection of Old Testament (D.V.D) Old Testament prophets and Patriarch DVDs Catholicism, Rev Robert E Barron. World on Fire series. Third Year As above + Junior Certificate Examination Papers As above + Jesus of Nazareth (D.V.D) Transition Year And/Or LCA Gate Youth Magazine Mass Leaflets Good News Bible YouCat, Youth Catechism Other senior cycle text books The Chapel DVDs The Lord of the Rings Life is beautiful A Walk to Remember My sister s keeper Fighting temptations The Wishing Tree The Passion of the Christ (15 edition) Shawshank Redemption Hotel Rwanda Shadowlands Relevant Youtube clips

5 th Year The Challenge of God Revised Edition (Second and Third) Gate Youth Magazine Mass Leaflets Good News Bible The Inner Place Tom Gunning Mere Christianity. C.S Lewis Various articles Youth Catechism As above when relevant The Why Course Fr Marcus Holden Fr Andrew Pinsent DVD series: God, Christ, the Church Various youtube clips Leaving Cert. The Challenge of God Revised Edition (Third) Gate Youth Magazine Mass Leaflets Good News Bible The Inner Place Tom Gunning Mere Christianity. C.S. Lewis The lives of Saints Various articles and DVDs Youth Catechism Various youtube clips As above Planning for Students with Special Needs: Bernie Jordan is available to teachers in Room 15C on Wednesday and Thursday 2.45 3.50pm to advise concerning students with special needs in relation to religious department regarding topics to be covered and the third year journal work. Liturgical and Sacramental life in the School In house retreats organised by Chaplain, cleared in advance with management Child protection guidelines and protocols followed. Retreats to Knock and other places. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for small groups on a rota basis, aiming for classes to have it at least once a month. Morning Mass available. Year group masses for First Year, 5 th and Leaving Cert Class masses one a year for Junior cycle Carol Service. Participation on Catholic Schools Week Participation in Church Unity Week

Sacrament of Penance available twice a year Two oratories available for Stations of the Cross / Reflection. Ecumenical prayer services Inter faith, private prayer, to facilitate non Christian students. There is a Muslim presence in the school, about 7% of the school population. Giving Witness through Social Justice Individual teachers have social justice projects and regular fund raising takes place for a variety of causes. Motor Neuron, Irish Pilgrimage Trusts, Trocaire, Concern, Alzheimer s Ireland, Conquer Cancer, relief for various disasters, Daisy day, the Samitarans, etc. We try to rotate the charities. Transition year have a key co-ordinating role in social justice but most classes get involved one way or another Subject Planning for a Culturally Diverse Society: Create an atmosphere which respects cultural diversity in line with the J.C. Exam Syllabus, The Irish Bishops Guidelines and continuing to foster same at Senior cycle. Project work to be included for Junior and Leaving Certificate exams (The latter is not guaranteed to be on every year, depending on resources and student options), to include titles under the headings of Major World Religious. Inclusion of Major World Religions and Humanism as part of subject content at all levels but in line with Vatican II teachings on Ecumenism, especially Nostre Aetate. This will facilitate pupils of a non Christian faith and/or whose parents are humanist, agnostic, or atheist Effective Teaching Methodologies: Continuous emphasis on learning outcomes and assessment for learning. Student folder vital for Senior Students and copies for J.C. exam students. With key words and learning outcomes summarised within each module taught in the team teaching process. Team Teaching at Senior Level where all students do a six week module with each respective teacher, covering on average 5 to 6 modules for the academic year. Socratic method for arriving at truth (Senior Level). What is real? What is truth? Philosophical reasoning. (Senior Level) Faith and Reason. Elementary Catech ICT DVD supplements to text book for reinforcement. Case study methodologies, to giving witness to social justice, etc, inc guest speakers. Problem Solving in a moral context. Socratic method. Decision Making Exercises Simulation Games Role Play Modelling Presentation and Interpretation of Data Self Assessment Activities DiscussionGroup WorkActivity Based LearningJournal Work

Participation in liturgies, Mass, inter faith prayer, ecumenical prayer services, and Carol Service. Students whose parents wish their children to be exempted will be facilitated, if supervision can be arranged. Participation in retreats Periods of reflection, adoration, and meditation made available Film Guest speakers. In line with B if M protocols and vetting Range / Variety of Resources: Personnel: Experienced and motivated staff A chaplain Priests both within the staff and from the local parish (Mass / sacrament of Penance) Textbooks Videos / DVD s (available in chaplain s office) School oratory School chapel Room for in house retreats Gate magazine (Resources available on line to staff) Teacher own revision notes Availability / Use of ICT Facilities: Televisions video recorders and DVD players available in each block of classrooms. Language Laboratory and Data Projector with Screen for Films All classrooms are equipped with data projectors, white boards, and lap tops. Excellent ICT environment Provision for Health and Safety Requirements: Health, and safety legislation and procedures governing good safety practices in school - Regular fire safety drills Superintending and visibility of management and personnel on corridors Chaplain Mentors Ensuring pupils well being Liaison Officer Pastoral care team Caring and approachable staff Phone numbers of agencies in journals and on display on noticeboards.

Curriculum Content- Long Term Planning Content to be covered in each Year of Programme Year 1. First Year. Adjusted in 2015 and 2016 due to reduction from two to three classes. Communities of Faith, Section A, in Action. Social Justice Case studies Witness studies, from Faith Alive, at teachers discretion. Celebration of Faith, Section E. Faith manifested by prayer and worship with real prayer, meditation, contemplation time in chapel and classroom, where relevant, including the liturgical year and preparation for First Year Mass. The Order of the Mass, responses. Also the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist and the ritual of the stations of the Cross and the Rosary. Section B. Jesus in the Palestine of the Roman Empire - Section B Foundations of Christianity. Jewish society. The four main groups. S,P,E, Z. The divinity and humanity of Jesus. The Second Person of the Trinity, Jesus ministry Jesus Passion, death, and Resurrection. The early Christians. The structure of the Bible, Old and New Testatment. Being able to look up biblical references. Year 2 The First Christians Pentecost Introduction to the Holy Spirit the third Person of the Holy Trinity. Christianity: Beliefs and Worship. Scripture and Tradition. Creed and Catechism. Scripture and Tradition. What does it mean to be Catholic Communities of Faith in Ireland Today. Ecumenism deepened Emphasis on Taize as a model for Ecumenism The Jewishness of Jesus. Fulfilment of the Old Covenant Any one of the following: Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism. Section C. World Religions Preparation for Project Introduction to Morality and the Question of God/faith. Sections D and F. Revisiting Confirmation. Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Section E. Year 3. Contemplation and Meditation Challenges to Faith, The Question of God and images of God. Section D. Morality. Section E, deeper analysis. Life after Death, Section D, Science and Religion Foundations of other World Religions Project for Examination, the Journal. Revision with Focus on Exam Papers. Year 4 (Transition Year) Also LCA 1 and LCA 2 Major World Religions * Theology of the Body

Islam/ Judaism * Relationships Symbol * Becoming Moral Parables * Religion and Morality Teenagers and the Kingdom * Abortion Young Christian role models * Euthanasia Saints * Secular Role Models. Year 5 Leaving Cert Year 1 Non Exam. Specialist areas of interest pertain to different R.E. teachers who cover them within the team teaching framework The Search for Meaning. Faith and Reason. Philosophy as handmaiden to revelation The Human person, body and soul, made in the image and likeness of God. The rational nature of the human person, the rational powers of the soul. Man s search for God, God s revelation to Man. Introduction to Natural law ethics and the Socratic method of reasoning as a basis for Year 6 which focuses strongly on Morality. Religion as a Response to the Search for meaning. Christ as the answer to the search for meaning. The word made flesh New Ecclesial Movements in the Spirit of Vatican II Christology -The timelessness of the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Christ giving teaching authority of the Church The Church, willed by Christ. The Magisterium and teaching authority of the Church. Scripture and Tradition. The Church as the bride of Christ. The Parable Maker, disturbing the Peace. The Gospel basis for social Justice. The Catechism of the Catholic Church. Development of Catholic doctrine. The example of Ecumenism. Pre and Post Vatican II Ecumenism Post Vatican II. The essentials that unite all Christians. The Creed. Teenagers and the Kingdom Bullying and the breaking of the Golden Rule Death and Resurrection The Early Christian Church. Saints as role models. The Liturgical year Catholic and Christian writers: C.S. Lewis and J.R. Tolkien Vice and Virtue. Christian writers in literature and film The Gifts of The Holy Spirit. The body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. Drugs Alcohol Sex and sexuality Love and Marriage and self gift Theology of the Body simplified. Topics not covered here, in team teaching, will be carried over to Year 2.

Year 6 Leaving Cert Year 2 Non Exam Spirituality and the Spiritual Body. The Baptised as the body of Christ Hierarchical and Charismatic gifts within the Church. Becoming Moral Religion and Morality Humanism and Morality o The Golden rule. A moral code common to all World Religions derived from the Natural law. The seeds of truth in other Religions Life issues Infertility and Reproductive Technologies o The Genetics Debate o Abortion o Euthanasia o Relationships / Marriage/ Sexuality/Theology of the Body o Christ centred morality. The parable of the rich young man. o Can we be moral with grace? Pelaganism. o Christian writers in Literature and Film The Liturgical year Preparation of the Leaving Certificate Mass ASSESSMENT AND HOMEWORK PROCEDURES Homework Procedures: Recording of homework in school diary Copies taken up be relevant teachers to facilitate assessment of student progress and to identify any particular special needs Project work Presentation and display of students work posters etc L.C.A. survey and key assignments Folder for Senior Non Exam Religion Assessments/Examinations Procedures: Faith formation cannot just be examined but must also be encouraged and lived. Knowledge of subject examined in the case of Religious Examination students. First year examination students complete a common paper at the end of first year to facilitate loose streaming In house exams four times a year for first and second year students In house examinations three times a year for third and Leaving Certificate exam students. Mock examinations to be completed by Junior Cert. and Leaving Cert. Examination class Non exam students have folder. They take notes and give feedback. Student centred contributions are encouraged and fostered in debate and discussion with an emphasis on the Socratic method.

Record Keeping Procedures: Diary System Home School Liaison Officer Guidance Counsellor Effort grades recorded for non-exam students at end of each term Examination results recorded for all exam students at end of each term (Grades are kept on file in the school and sent to the student s home twice a year) Reporting Procedures: Class teacher Tutor Year Head Deputy Principal Principal. Year Head Meetings Pastoral Care Team Principal Depute Principal Chaplain, Home School Liaison Officer, Year Heads, Special Needs Teacher, Guidance Counsellor Annual Parent / Teacher Meetings Teacher in-career Development NAME DATE TOPIC NAME DATE TOPIC

NAME DATE TOPIC